Andrew Grace Associates

Does "getting ahead" at work mean generating greater efficiency as well as revenues, priortizing work and personal time, learning how to navigate changes, volunteering to assume leadership roles, being the go-to person for solving problems and seeing opportunities rather than road blocks? If you answered "yes" to all of the above, you appreciate the importance of using soft skills in today's work environment. They are not just good if you have them but can be drivers of your career. They make you stand out as a valuable asset to the organization.

In her book, The Hard Truth About Soft Skills, Peggy Kalus (www.peggyklaus.com) presents compelling examples of individuals who learned the wisdom of using nontechnical traits and behaviors such as self awareness, organizational awareness, communication, adaptability, trust, confidence, integrity, influence risk taking, and problem solving. She demonstrates tools and techniques for combining these soft skills with technical expertise.

If corporate downsizing, mergers, budget cuts and changing job responsibilities make you feel powerless to control your career, focus on developing these soft skills. They can power you through these uncertain economic times and maximize your career options.